Empowered By His Spirit
Thirteen Examples of Being Empowered By His Spirit
Taking Speaking-in-Tongues to the Next Level – Part 3
You know when you don’t study for a test it usually ends in disaster. The same thing happens in life, when you haven’t studied a subject, it usually ends in disaster. What we have when it comes to speaking-in-tongues is a disaster because of our lack of knowledge. Being one of the least knowledgeable topics, for some reason we have some who say they’re the expert, but really are not. That, being the case, means that when tongues are used, more times than not, the act goes against what scripture says specifically about it.
Since that last statement was far left, let me balance it with this far-right statement. We must all agree that speaking-in-tongues is a next-level action by itself. Not everyone is a “tongue-talker.” Therefore by default, it is not a gift or act that most, the majority (51% or more) will or can understand. Most people don’t understand faith or prayer, how then can the average person understand this next level activity?
Could it be that we have limited thinking regarding speaking-in-tongues? That’s obvious. Actually, our limited thinking may be more broader than we think. Could it be that we are not only limited when it comes to knowledge of speaking-in-tongues, but also when it comes to what happens to a person when God’s spirit is “poured out” on him or her? I need to clear up another myth. When we hear the words The Spirit is poured out on someone most have grown to think that it means they will speak-in-tongues. Another myth is when someone receives the Holy Spirit the result is they will, have, or do speak-in-tongues. This is limited thinking and is not true. When God’s spirit finds His way into the life of a human-being the results are not limited to speaking-in-tongues. In fact that result is a rare occurrence. The Bible says that the resulting effect of God’s spirit is power. [1] That means God’s spirit gives you the ability to act, ability to produce, authority, influence, and control. When you have the Holy Ghost, you have power, might, strength, and force.
I want to take the next few minutes to give you examples of what it looks like when a person via the Holy Spirit receives power. Before I get to the examples, I have two statements I must make. One, this list is far from all inclusive; there are a ton of other examples one can use. Two, there are several names for The Holy Spirit that you need to be aware of. Here are six to name just a few: God’s spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, The Spirit, The Spirit of the Lord, and The Spirit of God.” We will start with the Old Testament and work our way to the New Testament with these examples.
- Power to Know the Future
This power is known as prophecy or to prophesy. It is documented that the Spirit of God came powerful upon the first king of Israel, King Saul. This occurred while he was in the presence of several prophets and with the power of God’s spirit King Saul began to prophesy as well. [2] This type of Holy Ghost empowering happened at least three times during the reign of Saul. In fact, God’s spirit is so powerful that Saul’s men were approaching a group of prophets led by Samuel, the priest, and they began to prophesy as well. [3] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but also leads to one knowing the future. - Power of Exceptional Skillfulness
When the Spirit of God filled a man by the name of Bezalel he was transformed from a normal, average craftsman into an exceptionally skilled craftsman who became an expert in all kinds of crafts. He was known for working with gold, silver, and bronze. [4] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but also gives a person a gift of an exceptional trade, skill, or talent. - Power to See Beyond the Visible
This is known as seeing visions. It’s said of Ezekiel that he was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord. [5] As a result he had the power to see a number of visions. His life was marked by the visions that he saw by the power of God’s spirit. God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but also will give one the power to see beyond what is visible. - Power of a Great Warrior
Gideon, his name alone, was made famous for being a great and mighty warrior. However, not many ever asked the question where did Gideon get this exceptional ability? The Bible says “the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon with power.” [6] As a result, a mighty warrior was born. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to transform from an ordinary human-being to one that is unlike any other. He gives us POWER! God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but will make a mighty warrior out of you if necessary. - Power of Extraordinary Strength
This person needs no introduction. Samson received his extraordinary strength as a result of “the Spirit of the Lord, who came powerfully upon him.” [7] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but will give you exceptional strength in your body. - Power to Lead
At the same time the Spirit of the Lord left King Saul, God’s spirit came powerfully upon future King David. It was during his anointing ceremony performed by the priest, Samuel that God’s spirit came on David giving him the power to lead. [8] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but will give a person the power to be an exceptional leader. - Power at Birth
Let’s cross over to the New Testament for a few examples.
We will begin with John, the baptizer. Most church-goers assume that the Holy Spirit does not appear on the scene until the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost. That’s false. John who’s known for baptizing believers is said to have been “filled with the Spirit of God before birth.” [9] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but will give an exceptional purpose to a person even before he or she is born. - Power to Birth the Son of God
This expression of God’s Spirit is one of a kind. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary with the power of the Most High. This power gave Mary the ability to give birth to the son of God. [10] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but gave way to the birth of the Son of God. God’s spirit has the power to birth something extraordinary in you. - Power to Ignite “Fire” within Another
Mary, the mother of Jesus, went to visit Elizabeth, her relative, while pregnant with John, the baptizer. At the sound of Mary’s voice alone Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. [11] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but can be transferred to others by the sound of one’s voice who has His power. What is your voice, your words, producing? - Power to Know Which Way to Go
The scripture says that Jesus not only was a product of the Holy Spirit, but it was this spirit that directed Him. [12] In other words, the Holy Spirit is a navigation system. God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but is a navigator if you will allow Him to direct your path. - Power to Speak in Other Languages
On that famous day we know of in the Bible as the Day of Pentecost, there is a myth that the Holy Spirit filled the place and all who were there began speaking-in-tongues. The truth is the Holy Spirit gave them the power to speak in the native languages of other cultures and nations who were present in Jerusalem at this time. [13] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but gives one the ability to be multilingual. - Power to Have an Appropriate Response
Peter and John faced inquiries by the council of rulers and priests who had imprisoned them. In response to their questioning, the Holy Spirit fills Peter and he then gave a response to the questioning. [14] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but gives you the words to say when tough questions come at you. - Power to Teleport
I saved this one as my last example of the power of God’s spirit. Have you wondered why a word like “teleport” even exists? If teleportation wasn’t a thing, then why was this word created? Just think about that. The truth is teleportation does exist. Jesus had this power and demonstrated it during His life and after He was raised from the dead. However, I don’t want you to think this power given by His Spirit was limited to Jesus. It is recorded and documented that a man named Philip was baptized and upon coming out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched him away. He was later found in the town of Azotus north of the place he disappeared. [15] God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but gives you the power to teleport.
I stopped at thirteen. I could go on and on because there is no limit to what God’s spirit can do and does. It is His spirit that gives you the power to have a new life. God’s spirit is not limited to one speaking-in-tongues, but will give a person unlimited power. Stop acting like speaking-in-tongues is the only power that God has to give. God has unlimited power. Therefore His Spirit has unlimited power and gives you unlimited power.
Question: what other power can you think of that His spirit gives?
[1] Acts 1:8 NKJV, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/114/ACT.1.8.NKJV
[2] 1 Samuel 10:9-11 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.10.9-11.NLT
[3] 1 Samuel 19:19-21 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.19.19-21.NLT
[4] Exodus 31:2-4 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/EXO.31.2-4.NLT
[5] Ezekiel 11:23-25 NLT, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/EZK.11.23-25.NLT
[6] Judges 6:34 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/JDG.6.34.NLT
[7]Judges 14:5-6 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/JDG.14.5-6.NLT
[8] 1 Samuel 16:13-14 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.16.13-14.NLT
[9] Luke 1:13-17 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.1.13-17.NLT
[10] Luke 1:35 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.1.35.NLT
[11] Luke 1:39-41 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.1.39-41.NLT
[12] Luke 4:1 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.4.1.NLT
[13] Acts of the Apostles 2:1-8 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.2.1-8.NLT
[14] Acts of the Apostles 4:1-8 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.4.1-8.NLT
[15] Acts of the Apostles 8:38-40 NLT, Bible.com, accessed August 17, 2023, https://www.bible.com/bible/116/ACT.8.38-40.NLT
All Scripture references used by permission, see our Scripture copyrights.
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